César Gastélum, a prominent Mexican social media figure, was killed in a shooting while streaming live outside a restaurant in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The incident occurred Tuesday evening in the Tres Ríos area as Gastélum filmed with two companions. Witnesses reported that two individuals on a motorcycle approached the group, and one assailant fired at close range.
Known for his comedy content on TikTok, Gastélum commanded an audience of over 500,000 followers. Because the victim and his friends wore bright orange jackets typical of delivery workers, police initially misidentified his profession before verifying his identity. Following the attack, authorities processed the scene for evidence while the suspects fled on their motorcycle. No arrests have been made, and officials have not disclosed if the influencer had been threatened previously.
Gastélum’s social media profiles often highlighted his luxury lifestyle and travels. Notably, he had previously shared a post mourning the death of another influencer, Leobardo Aispuro, who was murdered in 2024. This killing follows a disturbing trend of violence against online creators in Mexico, including the 2025 murder of Valeria Márquez. The region remains volatile due to an ongoing conflict between factions of the Sinaloa cartel, specifically Los Chapitos and La Mayiza.
